You know, the first time I saw a thread on people having issues with Practical Backpacking was over on BackpackingLight. There were TONS of folks complaining about how draconian the controls were on their posts. I'd had a few small concerns, but nothing too terrible.

A couple of months later, WhiteBlaze saw a thread pop up and folks there, as they are inclined to do, really unloaded. It was there that I also learned that even some of the staff/moderators with PB were becoming frustrated with some of the forum policies. I had recently had some very thorough posts (ones where I devoted about a half hour composing) deleted for no reason that I could determine and never had any notice of. This is when I mostly stopped posting.

Now, even here on TLB, I see concerns popping up. GeoKite, it isn't just you. I said it in an earlier post that PB has good information from knowledgeable folks, and while it tends to be well-organized and on point, it also tends to be fairly sterile. It seems the only personality allowed is that of the site administrator, which, again, is somewhat sterile. Here, we have manners and courtesy, combined with humor and fellowship, combined with solid knowledge and the willingness to share it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

With PB, I think you DO get some very knowledgeable posters and information, but personality tends to fly by the wayside. Maybe the site would be better run as a backpacking wikipedia......... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

BTW, this post would be edited without notice or entirely deleted (again without notice) on PB because it refers to other websites, apparently a mortal sin. It seems the site exists for those who only want information specifically from Practical Backpacking itself. And don't waste your time trying to place a link for a good post from PB here on TLB. The PB protocols are set to automatically redirect you back to the home page. Apparently you are not supposed to read anything on PB unless you are logged on with PB as a member. I suspect this has something to do with number of hits from members affecting advertising rates?

But enough free advertising for the site. If you can get on, go and check it out. It's not bad. It's just different...............